Debate

Are you great at winning arguments? Do you have the poise of a public speaker and the convincing tone of a scholar? Join debate to compete with others who are just like you.

Procedures:

The following is a list of rules and procedures for this category. Failure to fulfill these obligations and/or any violation of them may result in point loss.

Parliamentary Debate is a Bracket Competition, which stipulates that it is an elimination competition. There are two rounds of Preliminaries, one Quarterfinal Round (top 8 teams), one Semifinal Round (top 4 teams) and one Final Round. [In the event that an odd number of teams are present at the very first preliminary round of the Parliamentary Debate Tournament, even-numbered pairs will be made, with a randomized odd team given an automatic advancement to the 2nd preliminary round.] All teams regardless of round results advance to Round 2.

This competition is a team effort. Only two (2) people may register for this competition, and they must compete as a team. No substitutions are allowed.

The moderator of a Parliamentary debate is called the “Speaker” and all debaters must address themselves to “Mr. [or Madam] Speaker” at the outset of their speeches. The affirmative side is called the “Government” while the “Opposition” represents the negative. Participants in the debate and members of the audience are referred to collectively as the “House” while the resolution is simply termed the “Bill”. Debaters must always refer to one another in the third person (for example, “the Prime Minister”, “Leader of the Opposition”). They must not call other debaters by their real names.

Members will speak only when called upon by the Speaker or when allowed a ‘Point of Information’.

Only one debater may hold the floor of the House at a time.

Debaters shall not use profane or offensive language.

During the final rebuttal speeches presented by the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister, debaters may not bring up any new arguments or new evidence except in direct refutation of material which has already been presented.

Competitors are allowed to bring in notes and outlines on the Resolution and may refer to them at any point during the debate. If needed, they will also be provided with scrap paper for tracking their opponent’s arguments.

Competitors may not have access to blank debate ballots, nor are they allowed to view ballots at any point during the tournament. They are only allowed to access the Debater Feedback page of the ballot upon conclusion of the tournament.